CONFRONTATION

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

Ambassador Goldberg represents the United States government. As such, he stands responsible for its actions in Vietnam. The government of the United States has demanded and received a privileged position for its statements. Despite the fact that all its actions are widely defended in the mass media, and any government spokesman has any platform he desires, it still refuses to submit its policy to critical scrutiny in public debate. For example, government representatives have consistently refused to accept invitations to appear at teach-ins for the last year refusal to debate in the face of widespread demand.

This situation must be reversed. The present visit of Ambassador Goldberg has been presented as an opportunity for a confrontation between the anti-war. If that occurs, it will be a return to some semblance of democratic discussion. Such a confrontation is only possible if:

1) At least half the proposed panel is against American presence in Vietnam,

2) The panelists can rebut Ambassador Goldberg's responses and ask follow-up questions,

3) The audience is permitted to question the Ambassador at length and in detail,

4) The panelists as well as the audience have free access to microphones.

The war in Vietnam is the most serious problem the United States government has posed to the American people. In view of this, SDS feels that it is absolutely essential that the program outlined above be carried out. If this does not occur, members of SDS will attempt to engage the Ambassador in a critical debate. We sincerely hope that no one will try to prevent this meeting from being what it should be: a confrontation between the administration and the anti-war movement. Michael L. Spiegel '68   Co-Chairman   Students for a Democratic Society